Special thanks to Montana state Sen. Tom Jacobson, (State District 11), and Rachel Cohen, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA Eighth District), for sharing their insights.

“This is going to be an incredibly difficult session to get in front of legislators.  Each state is approaching the session differently, primarily based on its political makeup."

- MT State Sen. Tom Jacobson

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has ravaged our country’s economic and public health, resulting in millions of Americans struggling with job loss, food shortages, inability to pay bills or general household expenses. While Congress passed some additional, short-term stimulus relief packages in 2020, the support falls far short of the economic crisis impacting too many Americans today. As we go into 2021, there is much work to be done to stabilize the economy and provide long-term relief to low-income and working families. At the federal level, there is a need for additional income and housing supports, an adequate savings infrastructure to buffer household financial shocks, an expansion of low-income tax credits and specific policies to address the racial wealth divide, among other things. At the state and local levels, constrained budgets mean that there is a real risk of public services being cut to balance budgets. Effective advocacy, like never before, is going to be critical to ensure that all Americans are supported as they weather the economic, health and social ramifications of COVID and a nationwide recession.

COVID-19 has transformed our society, shifting day-to-day operations of every industry and sector, forcing much of it to go virtual. This is particularly true of federal, state and municipal governments, many of which have adopted new virtual tools and rapid response methods to communicate with their constituents as in-person advocacy has come to a standstill. A 2020 survey by the Congressional Management Foundation found that 82% of congressional offices have increased financial and personnel resources dedicated to constituent engagement, while 89% of Capitol Hill staffers have developed new skills for virtually interacting with constituents.

As 2021 legislative sessions start across the country, it’s important to consider how the pandemic will impact the ability of advocates to push for meaningful policy change, while not being able to physically meet with legislators. As more government offices are utilizing virtual technology, it is critical that advocates develop effective advocacy strategies that account for the shifts in communication and advocacy methods.

Prosperity Now sat down with Tom Jacobson, a Montana state senator, and Rachel Cohen, a legislative assistant for Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA Eighth District), to discuss how advocates can be most effective in the age of COVID-19. Here are their thoughts and recommendations:

As Sen. Jacobson told us: “This is going to be an incredibly difficult session to get in front of legislators. Each state is approaching the session differently, primarily based on its political makeup. Some states will take this more seriously, and others not so much, by holding sessions in person. [For example,] Montana will not allow people to testify from home but may set up a remote site for people to testify. Advocates need to weigh their personal safety in states where COVID-19 protections are lax.”

Key Recommendations:

• Visit your state legislature’s website to find out what protocols your state has in place for such advocacy strategies as providing testimony, attending committee hearings and scheduling legislative visits.
• If your state or local elected offices are still conducting business in person, find out what precautions are being mandated before your visit (such as temperature checks, masks, contactless meetings, etc.)
• Find out what technology your legislators are using to hear from their constituents (Zoom, Teams, Slack, etc.)
• With time being precious for most legislators, do not ask for meetings with legislators who are not your own. Legislators only want to hear from their constituents during this time.
• Legislators are hosting more telephone and video town halls. Sign up for your legislator’s newsletter to find out when these events are happening.

How has this virtual environment helped you to better connect with constituents?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: There’s been a huge shifting of norms. Constituent engagement has changed, and people are more receptive to connecting virtually through things like tele-town halls and virtual listening sessions. Before, it would have been site visits. We’ve done one or two town halls and a lot of listening sessions, which are more targeted towards specific communities to address their issues of focus.  Lines have blurred between in-district and D.C. [in-session] days. D.C. staff can attend more events and sit in and hear from constituents ourselves. We’re also getting emails directly from constituents (before they would just go to district staffers). Casework falls within the scope of district staff; however, these days, we are getting constituent stories directly rather than through district staff.
 

During this uncertain time, how can community-based organizations and other stakeholders effectively, but safely, advocate for policy change? What specific tactics or strategies do you recommend?

Sen. Jacobson: I’ve been getting a ton of mail, calls and messages, so the first thing I do is look for a zip code to know that I’m responding to a constituent. In my opinion, the most effective method is a personalized letter written by a constituent that is their own thoughts, not a form letter or a petition. I’m most interested in hearing about issues that I’m prioritizing or introducing.

How can advocates be most effective and efficient when calling a congressional office? What should be mentioned? What is least helpful?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: When calling us, don’t assume the person on the other end knows the issue. Any way you can make the connection easier, like starting with, “Your boss has shown a record for supporting this issue," is helpful to staff. In terms of what’s not helpful, personal stories are very helpful to humanize issues, but it can be too much when too many constituents are sharing at once--highlighting one or two key stories is good.

Cohen also notes that Capitol Hill offices are still receiving in-person mail. Staff assistants go into the office occasionally to retrieve mail and disperse it to relevant staff.

What do staffers look for in constituent emails? What is least helpful?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: For me, it’s always helpful to know how groups feel about or supports the issue at play. It’s helpful to point out which other stakeholders or groups are on board with the issue.

What do new members of Congress need from constituents?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: A one-page brief highlighting your top issues or priorities is helpful. Anchor the brief in data from the district.

Pro Tip: According the Congressional Management Foundation, only about 1/3 of freshman congressional offices are fully staffed by January 31. Advocates should consider this when making requests of new members. To make the case for policy change, visit the Prosperity Now Scorecard for state and local data on indicators of financial well-being.

Without the ability to have in-person meetings, what can nonprofit service providers do to get their issues and priorities in front of legislators and staff? What do legislators need to see from service providers to make the case for federal funding?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: I’m not sure how site visits can be replaced, but Zoom calls are a definite possibility for coalitions and organizations. In terms of meetings, ask for meetings because we have the time. It’s helpful to send a one-pager ahead of the meeting so that staff can familiarize themselves with your issues, priorities and position and use the meeting to have a deeper discussion.

Sen. Jacobson: It’s helpful for organizations to introduce themselves to new and old legislators and introduce their priorities to them. Proactive outreach is good. Pre-COVID, I would suggest offering to buy a legislator a cup of coffee and introducing yourselves in person. In the age of COVID, I’d suggest a virtual coffee. Email is better than letters—especially for scheduling something quickly.

Are there certain policy priorities that are particularly relevant/resonant to policymakers at the state and/or federal level?

Legislative Assistant Cohen: In terms of pandemic relief, the focus will be relief for small businesses, nutrition assistance, getting relief money into people's hands and money for vaccines. Nothing is off limits. COVID has only exacerbated existing economic needs.

Pro Tip from Cohen: Framing policies in light of COVID is helpful.

Key Insight from Sen. Jacobson: In conservative states, the Republican Party will be trying to shrink the government, rather than work on supporting people during COVID. The Democratic Party will have to be savvy and strategic about prioritizing the bills they introduce.

To better understand the impact of the economy and public health crisis on local communities, what kind of data, stories would be most helpful to policymakers?

Sen. Jacobson: In Montana and other conservative states, advocates have to be very strategic about how they approach this. Anything that hurts business might not be a good hook. Instead, frame issues in a way that highlights how policies will mitigate the losses of small business owners. For example, landlords are losing rent income, businesses are losing customers, etc.

To find resources for effective advocacy at every level, visit our Prosperity Now Advocacy Toolkit. For more tips or advice on advocating during a pandemic, feel free to contact the Prosperity Now policy team through Vanna Cure.